Rumor has it: Liverpool is reaching out to Xabi Alonso.
As Liverpool trudges through their 2025-26 season, the initial excitement brought about by triumphs over League One side Barnsley in the FA Cup and Marseille in the Champions League has quickly faded, culminating in a disappointing loss to Bournemouth—a team that had managed only one win in their last 14 matches. This turn of events has propelled discussions about manager Arne Slot’s future back into the spotlight.
Currently, Liverpool finds itself positioned sixth in the league, having been overtaken by both Chelsea and Manchester United following their recent setback. Considering they have experienced fewer injuries than the league leaders, Arsenal, and had fewer absentees during their match against Bournemouth, this performance is far from satisfactory. With over £450 million spent on player acquisitions last summer, expectations were undeniably higher. In terms of potential replacements for Slot, there appears to be a clear frontrunner.
That frontrunner is none other than Xabi Alonso. This speculation is fueled not just by media buzz but also by the fervent belief among Liverpool fans. Recent reports from Spain, particularly from AS (https://as.com/futbol/primera/xabi-alonso-ya-ha-recibido-la-primera-llamada-desde-liverpool-f202601-n/), indicate that the recently dismissed Real Madrid manager has been approached by Liverpool's management to explore his candidacy should Slot be relieved of his duties. Importantly, the question of whether Alonso would accept such an offer is also under consideration.
According to these reports, Alonso views Liverpool as his top choice if the opportunity arises. Furthermore, he seems willing to wait until at least summer for the right position rather than rushing into any immediate offers. On Liverpool's side, sources suggest that Slot is likely to be given until the end of the current season to demonstrate his ability to revitalize the team.
This perspective, advocating for Slot to have a complete season to prove himself, is certainly a reasonable stance. After all, it was only last season that Liverpool celebrated a league title. However, one cannot overlook the fact that the team's performance has been lackluster since autumn 2024. If they continue to drift away from contention for the top four, it will become increasingly challenging to justify continued support for him.
